A Lesson in Encryption

This is an excerpt from the book Keeping Your Data Private. Looks like good information.

"Don't think encryption is only for secret agents or computer gurus with ponytails down to the waist and witty t-shirts from thinkgeek.com. Putting an ordinary file on a PC is like leaving a letter face up on a desk. It's in plain view for anyone who passes by. Encryption is practical for ordinary people who want to keep their data private when they put it on a PC. It effectively puts that letter into a strong sealed envelope. You can do it, and it's an important ability to have."